| Resolution Number: | 1988-B052 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Endorse the Boycott Against International Oil Companies in South Africa |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred As Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That, in response to the urgent request of Archbishop Tutu, the House of Deputies concurring, that the 69th General Convention adopt as its own resolution, with amendment, the resolution adopted by Executive Council, May 19, 1988:
Whereas, the Apartheid government of South Africa continues its brutal oppression as demonstrated in its recent action against 18 political organizations which and individuals who have been effectively banned; and
Whereas, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called on foreign countries to enact and enforce comprehensive economic and diplomatic sanctions against South Africa; and
Whereas, Shell South Africa is the largest of three oil companies involved in South Africa; and
Whereas, South Africa does not produce oil of its own; and Whereas, Shell provides oil to South Africa that fuels the war in Namibia and assists the police and military in maintaining Apartheid; and
Whereas, the Episcopal Church has divested itself of stock of companies doing business in South Africa, including Shell Oil Company; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church join with those churches and others who have endorsed the boycott against Royal Dutch Shell; and be it further
Resolved, That this action be communicated to the widest membership in the Episcopal Church, encouraging the membership to participate in the boycott; and be it further
Resolved, That we call for the expanding of this boycott to include all international oil companies doing business in South Africa: Mobil, Chevron, Texaco, British Petroleum and Total.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Detroit, 1988 (New York: General Convention, 1989), p. 688. |
|---|
Legislative History
| Author: | |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Bishops |
| Originating Committee: | Committee on National and International Problems |
House of Bishops
Original Text of Resolution:
(B052)
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 69th General Convention adopt as its own resolution the resolution adopted by Executive Council May 19, 1988:
Whereas, the Apartheid government of South Africa continues its brutal oppression as demonstrated in its recent action against 18 political organizations which and individuals who have been effectively banned; and
Whereas, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called on foreign countries to enact and enforce comprehensive economic and diplomatic sanctions against South Africa; and
Whereas, Shell South Africa is the largest of three oil companies involved in South Africa; and
Whereas, South Africa does not produce oil of its own; and Whereas, Shell provides oil to South Africa that fuels the war in Namibia and assists the police and military in maintaining Apartheid; and
Whereas, the Episcopal Church has divested itself of stock of companies doing business in South Africa, including Shell Oil Company; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church join with those churches and others who have endorsed the boycott against Royal Dutch Shell; and be it further
Resolved, That this action be communicated to the widest membership in the Episcopal Church, encouraging the membership to participate in the boycott.
Proposed Committee Amendment:
In the first Resolved:
insert the words "with amendment" following "its own resolution."
In the second Resolved [the first Resolved of the Executive Council resolution]:
insert the words "in response to the urgent request of Archbishop Tutu" following "that."
Add a fourth Resolved as follows:
Resolved, That we call for the expanding of this boycott to include all international oil companies doing business in South Africa, namely, Mobil, Chevron, Texaco, British Petroleum, and Total.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #239)
House of Deputies
The Committee on Dispatch of Business moved a special order for consideration of B052a.
Motion carried
The Committee on National and International Affairs [sic] presented its Report #38 on House of Bishops Message #239 relating to Resolution B052a (Shell Oil Boycott) and moved concurrence.
The deputations of Ohio, Iowa, and Louisiana requested a vote by orders on B052a.
A motion was made that the debate be extended for five minutes.
Motion defeated
Deputy Andress of Western Louisiana moved an amendment to B052a.
Proposed Amendment:
At the end add "and all other companies doing business in South Africa."
A vote was taken on the Andress amendment.
Motion defeated
Amendment defeated
The question was called.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
Ballot #12 was taken by orders on B052a.
The Secretary announced the results of Ballot #12 by orders on B052a:
The deputation from Texas asked to be polled.
| Lay | Clerical | ||||
| Spence: No | Cooper: No | ||||
| Hall: No | High: No | ||||
| Crocker: No | Hall: No | ||||
| Rodriguez: No | Havens: Yes |
The results of Ballot #12 by orders on B052a.
| Lay | Yes -51 | No -39 | Divided -19 | ||||
| Clerical | Yes -59 | No -30 | Divided -19 |
The House failed to concur
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #316)
The lay deputation from Newark asked for a reconsideration of B052a (Shell Oil Boycott).
It was seconded by the clerical deputation from Newark.
The deputations from Louisiana, Western Louisiana and Texas asked that the reconsideration of B052a be by orders.
Ballot #14 was taken by orders to reconsider B052a.
The Secretary announced the results of Ballot #14 to reconsider Resolution B052a.
| Lay | Yes -61 | No -38 | Divided -10 | |||
| Clerical | Yes -68 | No -27 | Divided -14 |
Motion carried
Resolution reconsidered
Deputy Robinson of New Hampshire moved to suspend the Rules to require reading of no votes and divided votes on votes by orders.
He then withdrew the motion.
Deputy Crump of West Tennessee moved to suspend the Rules to extend debate on B052a.
Motion defeated
Deputy Kendall of New York moved to suspend the Rules to permit an amendment to B052a.
Motion defeated
The lay deputations of Ohio, Iowa, and West Texas requested a vote by orders on B052a.
Ballot #16 was taken by orders on B052a.
Motion carried by a two-thirds majority
The Secretary read the results of Ballot #16 on Resolution B052a.
It was necessary to verify the vote.
| Lay | Yes -61 | No -37 | Divided -11 | |||
| Clerical | Yes -69 | No -28 | Divided -13 |
The Secretary announced verification of Ballot #16 on B052a.
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #328)
House of Bishops
On a matter of personal privilege, the Bishop of Texas addressed the House concerning his opposition to Resolution B052a (Shell Oil boycott), which was passed on the seventh day.
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 11.
| Abstract: | The 69th General Convention calls for economic sanctions against South Africa by boycotting the Shell Oil Company and all international oil companies doing business in South Africa. |
|---|